International Plasma Technology Center www.plasmacombustion.org Sponsored by Applied Plasma Technologies, LLC www.plasmacombustion.com 7th International Workshop and Exhibition on Plasma Assisted Combustion (IWEPAC)13-15 September 2011 Excalibur-Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, Nevada, USA Designed and printed by Applied Plasma Technologies, LLC General ChairDr. Igor Matveev Applied Plasma Technologies, LLC USA i.matveev@att.netSteering Committee Dr. Louis Rosocha Applied Physics Consulting USA plasmamon@msn.comProfessor Homero Santiago MacielInstituto Tecnologico de Aeronautica Brazil homero@fis.ita.br Professor Edbertho Leal-Quiros University of California - Merced, USA eleal-quiros@ucmerced.eduDr. Isaiah BlanksonNASA Glenn Research Center, USA isaiah.m.blankson@nasa.govProfessor Serhiy Serbin National University of Shipbuilding, Ukraine siserbin@yandex.ruProfessor Larry Moody USA moodyla5@yahoo.com Contents Synopsis 5 Tentative Agenda 7 ABSTRACTS

PLASMA GENERATION, DIAGNOSTICS, AND MODELINGThermal Plasma Jet Generated by Gas-Water Torch: Properties and Applications13 High Efficient Vortex Steam Plasma Torch Preliminary Study16 Analysis of Transport Properties of Contaminated Plasmas in 300 kW Transferred Arc DC Reactor Under Gasification and Vitrification of High-Ash Fuels and Wastes20Some Results of High Power Atmospheric Pressure RF Torches Development23 PLASMA IGNITION AND FLAME CONTROL IonizationandEnergyDepositioninPulsedNanosecondDischargesinthe Filamentary Regime at Different Pressures and Temperatures 26 Supersonic Ignition System Utilizing Gliding Arc Plasma29 DevelopmentoftheConvectiveCoolingSystemfortheGasTurbinePlasma Assisted Combustor 31 Ultra Lean Burn Combustion via Nanosecond Discharge Plasma Ignition35 FUEL ACTIVATION AND REFORMATION Efficient Conversion of CO2 to CO by Novel Plasma Method36 Methane Oxidation in a Plasma Torch of Nonsteady State Plasmatron 38 PLASMA KINETICS AND FLOW DYNAMICS KineticsandPlasmaChemistryofNanosecondPulseDischargesandFast Ionization Wave Discharges42 DevelopmentofSynthesisGasAfterburnerBasedonInjectorTypePlasma Assisted Combustion System44 COAL, BIO-MASS, AND WASTE INTO ENERGY PROCESSING Gasification of Pyrolytic Oil from Scrap Tires by Thermal Plasma 47 ProductionofSynthesisGaswithAtmosphericPressurePlasmaProcessingof Coffee Grounds (Borra de Caf) and Other Organic Waste 50 Features of the Working Process in Three-Stage Plasma Coal Gasification System 51 ThermochemicalAssessmentofArcPlasmaGasificationEfficiencyforBrazilian Subbituminous Coal and Related Feedstock 54 3 Effect of Gas Dynamic Mixing of Thermal Plasma Jets with Spray of Coal Slurry / Hydrocarbon-Based Feedstock on the Operation of Plasma Gasifier System 57 Plasma Coal Burner 61 WATER TREATMENT AnOverviewofWaterTreatmentbyPlasmasAdvancedOxidation/Reduction Technologies AO/RTs 63 Non-Equilibrium Plasma Applications for Water Purification Supporting Human Spaceflight and Terrestrial Point-of-Use: Organic Chemical Decomposition via HV Nanosecond Plasma Discharge 68 WaterTreatmentandPowerCo-GenerationUsingHydro-Thermal,Supercritical Water Produced by Pulsed Electric Discharges 73 POWER SOURCES Power Supply for Discharges in Gas Flow75 Power Supplies for Non-Thermal Torches 79 AnOverviewofRecentInnovations inPowerSources forAdvancedPlasma Processes 80 Main Requirements to Prospective Power Supplies for High Power 1+ Bar Pressure RF Torches 84 NEW PLASMA EFFECTS AND PROSPECTIVE APPLICATIONS Current Status of Plasma Spray Coatings86 Advantages of High Pressure RF Torches with Reverse Vortex Stabilization for Plasma Sprayed Coating and Powders Treatment 90 Matching Electric Power to Processing 93 4 Synopsis IWEPAC-7willhaveeightseparatesessions:(1)plasmageneration,diagnostics,and modeling;(2)plasmaignitionandflamecontrol;(3)fuelactivationandreformation;(4) plasmakineticsandflowdynamics;(5)coal,bio-mass,andwasteintoenergyprocessing;(6) watertreatment;(7)powersources;and(8)newplasmaeffectsandprospectiveapplications. Eachsectionwillbefollowedbyaroundtablesessiontofacilitatediscussionsonprospective directionsofactivityandthecreationofinternationalresearchcollaborationsforjointproject development and implementation. IWEPAC-7isexpectedtohavefrom30to35oralpresentations(30minutesinduration, including questions and answers), and from 10 to 20 poster presentations. IWEPAC-7pioneersanewformofparticipationElectronicPosters.Thisisawayfor workshopnon-attendeestostillparticipatebysubmittinganabstractandPowerPoint presentationfile.Forafeeof$155,abstractsandpresentationfileswillbeincludedinthe workshop proceedings and the authors will receive a copy of the proceedings. IWEPAC-7willbehostedbytheInternationalPlasmaTechnologyCenter(IPTC), sponsoredbyAppliedPlasmaTechnologies,LLC,andheldSeptember13to15,2011inthe Excalibur-Hotel, 3850 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89109 USA.Duringtheworkshop,weplantohonornewmembersoftheInternationalCouncilof ExpertsinthefieldofPAC,announcenewinternationalprojectsandresearchteams,provide supporttojuniorscientists,andselectpapersforpublicationintheIEEETransactionson Plasma Science Special Issue on Plasma-Assisted Combustion. IWEPAC-7 proceedings will be available in two formats: a color booklet with abstracts and an after-meeting memory stick. The cost is included in the registration fee. IWEPAC-7hastwonewsessionswatertreatmentandpowersources.Thisreflectsour transition.Fromtheworkshoppresentationsandassociateddiscussions,itisclearthatmany attendees desire that the Workshop grow into a broader venue, that is, expanding the sessions to covermoreareasfortheapplicationofplasmatechnologies.IWEPACattendeesareprolific idea generators. They see that the same or similar plasma devices that are applied to PAC could beappliedinnewareasandevenwithmuchhighercommercialpotentialand/orfaster implementation.So,tothatend,weareexpandingthecoverageofIWEPACtoincludeother plasma technology applications and have changed the name of the workshop to the International Conference on Plasma Assisted Technologies (ICPAT). We realize that there are many plasma conferencesheldaroundtheworld.However,mostofthosetendtopreferentiallyconcentrate onfundamentalresearchandde-emphasizetechnologicalapplicationstoagreatextent.We wishtobedifferent:ICPATismeanttoincludefundamentalresearch,butwillemphasize technology,particularlyasitappliestocommercialapplications.Webelievethatthiswill distinguish ICPAT from other conferences and provide a unique forum for the nuts and bolts of plasma-assisted R & D, while preserving the core idea of IWEPAC namely an emphasis on the scientific chain from ideas and fundamentals to practical applications. 5 ICPAT (2012) sessions/topics 1.Plasma Generation, Diagnostics, and Modeling2.Plasma Ignition and Flame Control3.Fuel Reformation and Activation 4.Plasma Kinetics5.Plasma Flow Dynamics 6.Plasma Propulsion 7.Power sources/power supplies/modulators 8.Air quality control 9.Water treatment 10.Coal, bio-mass, and waste processing 11.Clean energy production 12.New materials sintering, modification, and processing 13.New plasma effects and prospective applications 14.Business forum 6 IWEPAC 7 Tentative AgendaMonday, 12 September16.00 18.00Registration: Excalibur-Hotel, Lobby 3850 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89109 USA Phone: 1-877-750-5464, http://www.excalibur.com/hotelTuesday, 13 September 8.30 9.00Registration: Luxembourg Room 9.00 9.30 IWEPAC-7 OPENING Welcome remarks from: -Dr. Igor Matveev(Applied Plasma Technologies, LLC) -Dr. Louis Rosocha(Los Alamos National Laboratory, DOE and Applied Physics Consulting) Announcements 9.30 12.15 PLASMA GENERATION, DIAGNOSTICS, AND MODELING Chaired by Dr. Igor Matveev, Applied Plasma Technologies, LLC; USA9.30 10.00 Thermal Plasma Jet Generated by Gas-Water Torch: Properties and Applications Prof. M. Hrabovsky, Dr. M. Konrad, V. Kopecky, Dr. T. Kavka, O. Chumak, V. Sember, A. Maslani(Institute of Plasma Physics AS CR, Czech Republic)10.00 10.30 High Efficient Vortex Steam Plasma Torch Preliminary Study Dr. L. Charokhovski, A. Marquesi, Prof. Ch. Otani, G. Petraconi Filho, R. Bicudo, A.S. da Silva Sobrinho, M. Massi, Dr. A.V. Gorbunov(Technological Institute of Aeronautics, Brazil) Prof. H.S. Maciel (Instituto de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento- IP&D/UNIVAP, Brazil)10.30 11.00Analysis of Transport Properties of Contaminated Plasmas in 300 kW Transferred Arc DC Reactor Under Gasification and Vitrification of High-Ash Fuels and Wastes Dr. A.V. Gorbunov, Prof. H.S. Maciel, A.F. Bublievsky, S.I. Kas'kova, V.A. Gorbunova,A.A. Galinovsky(Technological Institute of Aeronautics, Brazil) 7 11.00 11.15 Break 11.15 11.45Some Results of High Power Atmospheric Pressure RF Torches Development Dr. Igor Matveev, S. Matveyeva(Applied Plasma Technologies, LLC; USA) Dr. S.G. Zverev(Saint-Petersburg State Polytechnic University, Russia)11.45 12.15Round Table on Plasma Generation, Diagnostics, and Modeling 12.15 15.45PLASMA IGNITION AND FLAME CONTROL Chaired by Prof. Homero S. Maciel, Technological Institute of Aeronautics, Brazil 12.15 12.45 IonizationandEnergyDepositioninPulsedNanosecond DischargesintheFilamentaryRegimeatDifferentPressures and TemperaturesC. Guerra Garcia, Dr. M. Martinez Sanchez(Aeronautics and Astronautics Department, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA) 12.45 13.45 Lunch13.45 14.15 Supersonic Ignition System Utilizing Gliding Arc Plasma Hadade Neto, A. C. Pereira Filho, Prof. H. S. Maciel, M. Mdici (Turbotronic Tecnologia; IEAv Instituto de Estudos Avanado; ITA Instituto Tecnolgico de Aeronutica, Brazil) 14.15 14.45 DevelopmentoftheConvectiveCoolingSystemfortheGas Turbine Plasma Assisted CombustorProf. Serhiy Serbin, Dr. Anna Mostipanenko, Kateryna Serbina (National University of Shipbuilding, Ukraine) Dr. Igor Matveev(Applied Plasma Technologies, LLC; USA)14.45 15.15UltraLeanBurnCombustionviaNanosecondDischarge Plasma Ignition Lonnie Lenarduzzi(Plasmatronics, LLC; USA) 15.15 15.45Round Table on Plasma Ignition and Flame Control 15.45 16.00Break 8 16.00 17.30 FUEL ACTIVATION AND REFORMATION Chaired by Prof. Serhiy I. Serbin, National University of Shipbuilding, Ukraine16.00 16.30 Efficient Conversion of CO2 to CO by Novel Plasma Method Dr. Louis Rosocha, Dr. Yong Ho Kim(Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA) Prof. Yuri Korolev(Institute of High Current Electronics, Russia) 16.30 17.00MethaneOxidationinaPlasmaTorchofNonsteadyState PlasmatronProf. Yu.D. Korolev, O.B. Frants, S.I. Galanov, O.I. Sidorova, V.S. Kasyanov(Institute of High Current Electronics, Russia) Dr. Y. Kim, Dr. L.A. Rosocha(Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA) Dr. Igor Matveev(Applied Plasma Technologies, LLC, USA)17.00 17.30Round Table on Fuel Activation and Reformation 18.00 22.00Welcome Reception (Kent Hall)Wednesday, 14 September 9.00 10.30 PLASMA KINETICS AND FLOW DYNAMICS Dr. Louis Rosocha,Los Alamos National Laboratory, DOE and Applied Physics Consulting 9.00 9.30KineticsandPlasmaChemistryofNanosecondPulse Discharges and Fast Ionization Wave Discharges Dr. Keisuke Takashima, Prof. Igor V. Adamovich(Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering The Ohio State University, USA) 9.30 10.00DevelopmentofSynthesisGasAfterburnerBasedonInjector Type Plasma Assisted Combustion System Prof. Serhiy Serbin, Serhiy Vilkul (National University of Shipbuilding, Ukraine) Dr. Igor Matveev(Applied Plasma Technologies, LLC; USA)10.00 10.30Round Table on Plasma Kinetics andFlow Dynamics 10.30 10.45Break 9 10.45 15.15 COAL, BIO-MASS, AND WASTE INTO ENERGY PROCESSING Chaired by Dr. Edberto Leal-Quiros, University ofCalifornia, USA 10.45 11.15GasificationofPyrolyticOilfromScrapTiresbyThermal PlasmaProf. M. Hrabovsky,Dr. M. Konrad, M. Hlina, Dr. T. Kavka, O. Zivny, O. Chumak, A. Maslani (Institute of Plasma Physics AS CR, Czech Republic) 11.15 11.45Production of Synthesis Gas with Atmospheric Pressure Plasma ProcessingofCoffeeGrounds(BorradeCaf)andOther Organic WasteDr. E. Leal-Quiros, G. Diaz, N. Sharma, S. Pineda, S. Fleming, I. Hussein, A. Robles(University of California, USA) 11.45 12.15FeaturesoftheWorkingProcessinThree-StagePlasmaCoal Gasification SystemProf. Serhiy Serbin, Nataliia Goncharova(National University of Shipbuilding, Ukraine) Dr. Igor Matveev(Applied Plasma Technologies, LLC; USA)12.15 13.15Lunch13.15 13.45ThermochemicalAssessmentofArcPlasmaGasification EfficiencyforBrazilianSubbituminousCoalandRelated FeedstockProf. H. S. Maciel(Institute for Research and Development IP&D/UNIVAP, Brazil) Dr. A.V. Gorbunov,A.R. Marquesi, Prof. P.T. Lacava (Technological Institute of Aeronautics, Brazil)13.45 14.15EffectofGasDynamicMixingofThermalPlasmaJetswith SprayofCoalSlurry/Hydrocarbon-BasedFeedstockonthe Operation of Plasma Gasifier System Dr. A.V. Gorbunov, A.R. Marquesi, Prof. C. Otani(Technological Institute of Aeronautics (ITA), Brazil) Prof. H. S. Maciel(Institute for Research and Development IP&D/UNIVAP, Brazil) A.A. Galinovsky, V.A. Gorbunova(Belarus State Technological University, Minsk, Belarus) 14.15 14.45Plasma Coal Burner Dr. Igor Matveev(Applied Plasma Technologies, LLC; USA)10 14.45 15.15Round Table on Coal, Bio-Mass, and Waste into Energy Processing 15.15 15.30Break 15.30 17.30WATER TREATMENT Chaired by Dr. Isaiah Blankson,NASA Glenn Research Center, USA15.30 16.00AnOverviewofWaterTreatmentbyPlasmasAdvanced Oxidation/Reduction Technologies AO/RTsDr. Louis Rosocha(Applied Physics Consulting, USA) 16.00 16.30Non-Equilibrium Plasma Applications for Water Purification Supporting Human Spaceflight and Terrestrial Point-of-Use: Organic Chemical Decomposition via HV Nanosecond Plasma DischargeDr. Isaiah Blankson (NASA Glenn Research Center, USA) Dr. John E. Foster (University of Michigan, USA)16.30 17.00WaterTreatmentandPowerCo-GenerationUsingHydro-Thermal,SupercriticalWaterProducedbyPulsedElectric DischargesDr. W. Lowell Morgan(Kinema Research & Software, LLC; USA) Dr. Louis A. Rosocha(Applied Physics Consulting, USA) 17.00 17.30Round Table on Water Treatment Thursday, 15 September 9.00 11.45POWER SOURCES Chaired byProf. Yuri Korolev,Institute of High Current Electronics, Russia 9.00 9.30Power Supply for Discharges in Gas FlowProf. Yu.D. Korolev, V.G. Geyman, O.B. Frants, V.A. Panarin, S.B. Alekseev (Institute of High Current Electronics, Russia) Dr. Y. Kim, Dr. L.A. Rosocha(Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA) C. Cassarino, T. Frambes(Leonardo Technologies, Inc.; USA) 9.30 10.00Power Supplies for Non-Thermal TorchesDr. Igor Matveev(Applied Plasma Technologies, LLC; USA)Sergey Zakharov(ZS Systems, LLC; USA) 11 10.00 10.15Break 10.15 10.45AnOverviewofRecentInnovations inPowerSources for Advanced Plasma ProcessesDr. Pawel Grabowski (HUETTINGER Electronic Inc.; USA) 10.45 11.15MainRequirementstoProspectivePowerSuppliesforHigh Power 1+ Bar Pressure RF TorchesDr. Igor Matveev, Evgeniy Petrov(Applied Plasma Technologies, LLC; USA)11.15 11.45Round Table on Power Sources 11.45 12.00Break 12.00 15.00NEW PLASMA EFFECTS AND PROSPECTIVE APPLICATIONS Chaired by Dr. Rajan Bamola, Surface Modification Systems, Inc., USA12.00 12.30 Current Status of Plasma Spray Coatings Dr. Rajan Bamola, Dr. Vasudevan Srinivasan(Surface Modification Systems, Inc., USA)12.30 13.00Advantages of High Pressure RF Torches with Reverse Vortex StabilizationforPlasmaSprayedCoatingandPowders Treatment Dr. Igor Matveev(Applied Plasma Technologies, LLC; USA) Prof. Serhiy Serbin(National University of Shipbuilding, Ukraine) 13.00 14.00Lunch14.00 14.30 Matching Electric Power to ProcessingDr. E.J.M. van Heesch, A.J.M. Pemen, F.J.CM. Beckers, W.F.L.M. Hoben, K. Yan, G.J.J. Winards(Eindhoven University of Technology, Netherlands) 14.30 15.00Round Table on New Plasma Effects and Prospective Applications 15.00 16.00 DISCUSSIONS, NEGOTIATIONS Conference Closing ELECTRONIC POSTERSNon-Selfmaintained Gas Discharge Ignition System for Impact on Flammable Gas MixturesProf. V. L. Bychkov et al Experiments With Discharge Created FireballsProf. V. L. Bychkov et al 12 Thermal Plasma Jet Generated by Gas-Water Torch: Properties and Applications Prof. M. Hrabovsky, Dr. M. Konrad, V. Kopecky, Dr. T. Kavka, O. Chumak, V. Sember, A. Maslani Institute of Plasma Physics AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic Introduction Thermal plasmas are commonly generated either in non- transferred dc electric arcs that are stabilized by flowing gas, or in inductively coupled discharges. Averaged temperatures in torches with gas stabilization are usually in the range from 8 000 Kto16000K[1].Averageplasmaenthalpiesvaryfrom1to100MJ/kg.Furtherincreaseof plasmatemperaturesandenthalpiesislimited,asflowinggasprotectsthearcchamberwalls from thermal overloading and thus a minimum possible gas flow rate exists for given arc power. Higher thermal loadingispossible if the wallsarecreatedbyliquidandanarc is stabilized by wallevaporation.Liquid-stabilizedarcscanbeutilizedassourcesofthermalplasmaswith extremelyhightemperaturesandenthalpies.Besidesapparentadvantagethatnogassupplyis needed, there are many other differences between gas and liquid generators in plasma processes, plasma properties and especially in performance characteristics in plasma processing. The arc with the stabilization of arc column by water vortex was first described about ninety yearsagobyGerdienandLotz[2].Basicexperimentalinvestigationsofwaterstabilized (Gerdien)arcswereperformedinthefiftiesofthelastcentury.Bymeansofemission spectroscopy the authors have found very high plasma temperatures in the arc column, with up to50000Kinthecenterlineposition.Theprincipleofarcstabilizationbywatervortexwas utilizedintheplasmatorchdesignedforplasmasprayingandcutting[3].Inthelastdecades water-stabilizedarcshavebeenintensivelyinvestigatedandbasicprocessesinthearccolumn have been described [4,5]. Thenewtypeoftorchwithcombinationofgasandwatervortexarcstabilization(hybrid torch)wasdesignedtowidentorchoperationcharacteristics,mainlytoincreaseplasmamass flow rate, plasma velocity, and plasma density. Basic processes in DC Gerdien arc and properties of plasma jet The properties of the generating plasma jet are given by the processes in the arc chamber of a torch. Scheme of a dc plasma torch with Gerdien arc is in Fig.1. The arc chamber is divided into severalsections,wherewatervortexiscreatedbytangentialinjectionofwater.Cathodeis consumable graphite rod, copper anode with internal cooling rotates to reduce electrode erosion. Theplasmaisproducedbyabsorptionofradialheatfluxfromarccoreinwaterwall.The waterisevaporated,heated,ionizedandoverpressureofsteam(hydrogenoxygen)plasma moves the plasma to the exit nozzle. Plasma flows into the ambient atmosphere as a plasma jet. The decisive processes are mechanisms of radial energy transport to the water wall and the heat utilization for evaporation and ionization. Specific characteristics of plasma jets generated by Gerdien arc are given by two factors: 1) Material properties of steam plasma, mainly high thermal conductivity, high enthalpy and sound velocity at given temperature compared to other gases. 2)Mechanismofplasmaformationlowfractionoftotalradialheatfluxisspentfor 13 evaporation,whileabsorptionofheatin vaporisrelativelyhigh.Thisleadstolow massflowrateofplasma,ontheother hand to very high temperature (therefore to high plasma enthalpy) and high velocity of plasmaflow.Theradialinflowofsteam plasmaconstrictsthearcchannelandalso increases plasma temperature. Basicparametersofthetorchand comparisontootherplasmamediaarein Table 1. Fig. 1. Scheme of plasma torch with Gerdien arc Plasma gasI, AP, kWG, g/sTb, KHb, MJ/kg H2O300840.215800252 H2O6001760.3317500320 N27001804030003.6 Ar/H2 (33/10)750250.981210013.5 Table 1. Parameters ofDC arc torches for different plasma media. The measured radial profiles of temperature at the vicinity of torch nozzle and dependence of plasma velocity on axial distance from nozzle for different arc currents are given in Fig. 2a and Fig. 2b. Theneedtocovertheregionofoperationparametersbetweengasandwatertorcheshas lead to the design of hybrid torch. 0 40 80 120 160axial distance [mm]02468velocity [km/s]I = 300 AI = 400 AI = 500 AI = 600 A 0 1 2 3radial coordinate [mm]481216202428plasma temperature [103 K]I=600 AI=500 AI=400 AI=300AFig. 2a. Radial profiles of plasmatemperature Fig. 2b. Plasma velocity vs distance from nozzle I - current, U - arc voltage, G - plasma mass flow rate, Tb - plasma bulk temperature, Hb-plasma bulk enthalpy 14 Hybrid plasma torch Scheme of hybrid gas-water torch is in Fig. 3. Gasissuppliedalongtungstencathode,thegas plasmaflowsfromcathoderegionintosecond part,wherearccolumnissurroundedbywater vortex. If low enthalpy gas like argon is used, the voltage drop and power of the cathode part of arc islowandthepropertiesofthearcaremainly givenbythewaterstabilizedpart.Plasma temperatureandallcharacteristicscontrolledby energybalanceareclosetowatertorch.The argonflowincreasesthemassflowrateofthe plasmaandtheplasmavelocity,ontheother hand, the plasma temperature is slightly lower. Technological applications of torches with water stabilizationTheplasmajetgeneratedinatorchwithgas/waterstabilizationhasbeenusedmainlyfor plasmaspraying.Highplasmatemperature,highplasmaenthalpy,andlowplasmadensityresultinveryhighefficiencyofutilizationofplasmaenthalpyforheatingofmaterialinjected into plasma jet. Also high thermal conductivity of hydrogen/oxygen plasma is advantagoues as heat fluxes to injected particles are high. The torch provides 5 to10 times higher spraying rates than common gas torch at the same power. At power 160 kW the spraying rate is 25- 45 kg/h for ceramics powder and 80 100 kg/h for metal powder. Large area coatings or production of self-supporting ceramics parts are examples of main applications. Lately,theresearchofwastetreatmentandgasificationoforganicmaterialsforsyngas productionhasbeenstarted.Theadvantagesare,besidesthementionedonesforplasma spraying,highlevelofturbulence(intensivemixingwithtreatedmaterial)andidealplasma composition. Acknoledgement.TheworkwassupportedbytheGrantAgencyoftheCzechRepublic under the project P 205/11/2070. References [1]P. Fauchais, A. Vardelle, Thermal plasmas, IEEE Trans. on Plasma Science, vol. 25,pp. 12581280, 1997. [2]H.Gerdien,A.Lotz,WasserstabilisierterLichtbogen,Wiss.Veroeffentlichungen Siemenswork,vol. 2, pp. 489-492, 1922. [3]B.Gross,B.Grycz,K.Miklossy,PlasmaTechnology,London:IllifeBooksLtd., 1968. [4]M.Hrabovskyetal.,ProcessesandPropertiesofElectricArcStabilizedbyWater Vortex, IEEE Trans. on Plasma Science, vol. 25, pp. 833839, 1997. [5]M. Hrabovsky et al., Properties of Hybrid Water/Gas DC Arc Plasma Torch,IEEE Trans. on Plasma Science, vol. 34, pp. 15661575, 2006. waterinoutwatervortexexitnozzleanodecathodegassteamFig. 3. Scheme of hybrid gas/water torch 15 High-Efficient Vortex Steam Plasma Torch-Preliminary Study Dr. L. Charakhovski, A. Marquesi, Prof. Ch. Otani, G.Petraconi Filho, R. Bicudo, A.S. da Silva Sobrinho, M. Massi, A. GorbunovInstituto Tecnolgico de Aeronutica (ITA), S.Jose dos Campos, Brazil Prof. H.S. Maciel InstitutodePesquisaeDesenvolvimento-IP&D/UNIVAP,S.Josedos Campos, Brazil Duetouniquepropertieshighenthalpy,oxidizing-reducingnature,ecological compatibility, not scare resources, etc., water plasma is very suitable for many applications [1]. Amongdifferenttypesofplasmageneratorsvortexplasmatorchesarethebestbytheir energeticcharacteristics.Vortexflowsare possessedbyactivestabilizingand thermal-insulatingeffectonelectricarc andthereforeappliedwidelyinvortex plasma torches. This effect appears owing to intense centrifugal accelerations arising fromthefast-rotatinggasindischarge channeloftorchwithsmallradius.Asa result,strongradialstratificationby densityofgasarisesatsuchflow.Cold anddensegasisexpelledtoperipheryof cylindrical channel, and hot gas, including arccolumn,isstabilizedalongtheaxis. Howeverturbulenceanddissipationof vortexthroughfrictiongiverisefor gradualmixinghotandcoldgas.As shownin[2]-[4],conventional diaphragmaticvortexchamberisnot optimalfacilityforswirlinggasin channel;inaddition,swirlingeffect becomesapproximateforanychamberat distance of about 6-8 diameters of channel [4]. Therefore retention of major rotational velocityalongthetotalchannelbecomes veryimportantforimprovementof thermal insulation and increase of thermal efficiency.Tosolvethisproblem cylindricalchannelwithdistributed tangentialinjectionofgasbetween adjacentsectionswithnumberofvortex chamberswasdeveloped.Howeveritwas appliedmainlyinlaboratories,butnotin Fig. 1. Torch W1 with distributed injection of gas at smooth channel: 1 - cathode, 2 - anode, 3 arc, 4 - vortex chamber 200 400 600 800 10000100200300400500432STEAMParameters see in caption with numbersTime (s) 1 2 3 4A I R1Fig.2.Data acquisition during testing of torch. 1 arc tension, V; 2 arc current, A; 3 steamtemperature at inlet of plasma torch; 4 steam temperature in vortex chamber 16 industry,duetocomplexityandhighcostofoperationalmaintenance.In[5],[6]theyapplied stillmorecomplexsolution-distributedswirlinginjectionofgasalongthechanneltogether withdistributeditspartialexhaustfromcoldboundarylayersousingpartofgasonlyformaintainingintensevortex.Therebytheycompensatedthedecreaseofrotationalvelocityat elevated pressure by artificial increase of flow. Theyattainedefficiencyofabout80-90%andhighenthalpy;howeverthiswasdoneat experimentalsetupfortestingmaterialsandhardlyisapplicableforcommercialtechnological torches. Therefore more rational appears to use smooth channel without dividing it by insulated sections and only maintaining intense swirling flow along the channel. Such approach was used in[7]forinter-electrodeinsertionofairplasmatorchandtheyattainedthermalefficiencyof torchabout80%withoutapplicationwatercoolingforthisinsert.Inthepresentworkwe developedthelatterapproachforsteamplasmatorchmakingadditionalimprovementsfor stability of vortex in smooth channel with continuously distributed injection. It is important for stability of swirl that positive gradient of density is directed from the axis towards the wall of channel. Excessive heating of wall is able to change gradient of density, provoking instability of vortexandprematurearcbreakdowntochannel.Positiveradialgradientofdensityarises duetotheactionofcentrifugal accelerationsandheatingofgasin thermalboundarylayersurrounding thearc.However,thewallsofnon-cooled channel arealso being heated byarc,arc,concomitantlyheating theadjacentgas.Gasflowinginside thechannelisheatedgradually together with the wall in downstream direction,owingtoconvectiveheat transfer.Thereforeweapplied counter-flowingas-coolingjacket surroundingthechannelfrom outside.Westartedinjectionofgas fromthisjackettochannelfrom downstreamendofchannelwith colder gas in jacket and distributed it alongthechannelindirectionto upstreamend.Atsuchflow organizationinjectedupstreamgas becomeshotterandlayeredover colderoneinjectedbeforeat downstream,somaintainingpositiveradialgradientofdensityinsidechannelandimproving vortex stability. We show in Fig 1 the schematic design of the present water steam plasma torch W1 with distributed injection of steam and smooth channel. Schematic picture of distribution of steam flow inside torch is illustrated with blue arrows.Wet steam can be used as effective coolant for steam plasma torch instead of liquid water. Generated in cooling jacket from wet steam, superheated steam can be used then as work-piece in the same plasma torch. Generation of dry steam directlyfrom water inside cooling jacket is 2000 4000 150000.450.500.550.600.650.700.750.800.850.900.951.00EFFICIENCYExit Plasma Temperature (K) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 91011Fig.3. Comparison of efficiency of plasma torches. 1-W1; 2-WSPH-500R [8]; 3-EDP217 [8]; 4- EDP148 [8]; 5-EAG-6 [8]; 6-MARC-3 [8]; 7-WSPH [9]; 8-EDP217 [10];9-EDP166 [10]; 10-EDP211 [10]; 11-EDP201[10]17 veryunstableprocessaccompaniedbywaterfilmdisintegration,formationofsuperheated water dropsand their intensive micro-explosions, destroying stability of vortex in channel and destabilizingarc.Wehaveovercamethisdifficultybysuperheatingliquidwateratelevated pressureandthenbythrottlingittoatmosphericpressure,sogeneratingwetsteamwithhigh content of liquid water in micro-dispersed state appropriate for following superheating without riskofexplosions.Weusedtherefore,forfeedingtheplasmatorch,aspecialexternaltwo-stagesteamgenerator.Atfirststageweheatwateratpressure1MPaupto130-140 0C, applying it further for throttling and superheating in second stage up to temperature about 200-300 0Catatmosphericpressure.Duringtorchoperationwewereabletoadjustpowerofthe secondstageinordertosupplytorchwithsuperheateddryorwetsteam.Torchwasalways startedwithairasworkinggasandthenswitchedtosteamafterpreheatingofallpartsupto temperaturehigherthan100 0Cwasachieved,sopreventingcondensationofsteam.Diameter ofdischargechannelwas20mmanditslength-100mm.Torchwastestedbyusingpower supplywithopencircuitvoltage700Vandmaximumcurrent120A.Current-voltage characteristicsareslightlydescending.Thistorchwithtransferredarcwasdesignedfor operationwithanodemountedinsideofplasmareactor,forexample,aconventionalmolten bathofmetalorslagwithbottomwater-cooledelectrode.Forpreliminarytesting,insteadof bathweusedauxiliarysolenoid-shapedanodewithinternaldiameter25mm,whichhasbeen madefromwater-cooledcoppertubeof6mmdiameter(seeFig.1).Therangeofoperational regimes was 90 -120A for air and 50-110 A for steam. The voltage of the arc was in the range of 180-220 V for air and 300-440 V for steam. The temperature of the main parts of torch was measuredwiththermocouplesandrecordedbyacquisitionsystemcontinuouslyduring15-30 minutes. We show in Fig.2 the example of record of the regimes during experiment. Torch was operated with air up to 200s, after that with steam. During operation we decreased power of steam generator so that after 420 s the torch was supplied by wet steam with temperature about 100 0C, maintaining this regime up to 820 s. However steam temperature in vortex chamber was kept at level above 100 0, a temperature high enough for the torch to maintain normal running (see Fig. 2). We show in Fig. 3 the comparison of efficiency of torch W1 with several published data.Efficiencywasabout97%forthistransferredtorchbothoperatingwithsteamandair, withoutanode.Weplantouseasecondsimilartorchasanodeintheso-calledtwin configuration, and we believe to achieve the same efficiency as in the present case [11]. Acknoledgement. We thank Mr. Claudio A .B. Garufe, Mr. Jorge L. Prado and Mr. Jose R. Pereira for their technical assistance in this work. We acknowledge the financial support of the CPFL and FAPESP of Brazil. References [1]B.Mikhailov.Generationofelectric-arcwater-steamplasma.Inseries:Low-Temperature Plasma, vol.20. Novosibirsk, Nauka, 2004, (in Russian), pp. 105-149.[2]M.L. Rozenzweig, V.S. Lewellen, D.G. Ross. Confined vortex flows under interaction withboundarylayer.Rocketengineeringandcosmonautics,1964,No.12,pp.94-103 (in Russian, Translation from ARS Journal). [3]L.Charakhovski, N. Kostin, The vortex flows in electric arc heaters,Heat Transfer. Soviet Researchs. 1984. vol. 16, No. 5, pp. 126-140.18 [4]N. Kostin, A. Olenovich,L. Podenok,L. Charakhovski.On workinggasswirling in vortexplasmatorches,in:Heatandmasstransfer:resultsandperspectives,Minsk: Luikov Heat and Mass Transfer Institute, 1985, (in Russian), pp. 95-97. [5]N. Kostin, A. Klishin, A. Olenovich, L. Podenok, L. Charakhovski, O. Yasko. High-efficientplasmatronwithinterelectrodesegments,inProc.XISUConferenceon Low Temperature Plasma Generators, Novosibirsk, 1989. v. 1, (in Russian), pp. 6-7.[6]L.Charakhovski,A.Klishin,A.Olenovich,L.Podenok.Heatinsulationofelectric arc in air and hydrogen vortex flows, in:Proc VIII SU Conference on Phys. of Low Temperature Plasma, Minsk, 1991. v. 2, (in Russian), pp. 146-147. [7]S.Boriskin,E.Gorozhankin,Yu.Tokarev,Plasma-torchwithdistributedinjectionof workinggas,inProc.XISUConferenceonlowtemperatureplasmagenerators, 1989, Novosibirsk, 1989, v.1, (in Russian), pp. 82-83.[8]T. Kavka, A. Maslani, O. Chumak, V. Kopecky, M. Hrabovsky. Properties of hybrid gas-watertorchusedforgasificationofbiomass,inreportsofIWEPAC-6, Session_PlasmaGeneration,DiagnosticsandModeling,Heilbronn,Germany,13-15 September 2010.[9]M.Hrabovsky.ThermalPlasmaGeneratorswithWaterStabilizedArc,TheOpen Plasma Physics Journal , 2009, 2, pp. 99-104.[10]B.Mikhailov.Electricarcgeneratorsofsteam-waterplasma,P.2,Thermophysics and Aeromechanics, 2003, (in Russian), Vol.10, No. 4, pp. 637-657. [11] Bagriantsev,S.Vaschenko,V.Lukashov,A.Timoshevski.Plasma-thermal gasificationofplasticwastes.Inseries:Low-TemperaturePlasma,vol.20, Novosibirsk, Nauka, 2004, (in Russian), pp. 336-340.19 Analysis of Transport Properties of Contaminated Plasmas in 300 kW Transferred Arc DC Reactor Under Gasification and Vitrification of High-Ash Fuels and Wastes Dr. A. V. Gorbunov Technological Institute of Aeronautics (ITA), Sao Jose dos Campos, SP, Brazil Prof. H. S. Maciel Institute for Research and Development IP&D/UNIVAP, So Jos dos Campos, Brazil A. F. Bublievsky, S. I. Kaskova Luikov Heat and Mass Transfer Institute, Minsk, Belarus V.A. Gorbunova,A.A. GalinovskyBelarus State Technological University, Minsk, Belarus Todesignplasmagasifiers(PG)andrelatedreactors,thatusevariouscoalbasedraw materials, biomass, MSW and other organic (including of hazardous ones) or mixed feedstocks andwastes[13],isnecessarytoanalyzetransportpropertiesoftorchgeneratedplasmasin these reactors under gasification of organic part and complete or partial vitrification of ash part offeedstock.Inthispapertheresultsoftheoreticalanalysisarepresented,whichfocusedon somefeaturesoftransportpropertiesofplasmaaffectedbytheircomposition,underthe conditionsofreactorswithsuchefficientclassofplasmatorchsastransferreddcelectricarc ones,includingoftwintorchkind[4,5],thatdevelopedlastyearsforthecommercialpower level of 300-1000 kW.Initialthermodynamiccalculationforsuchtypicalgroupoffeedstockasindustrialgrade coals with quite high ash content (by the example of Brazilian subbituminous ones [6] with A=27.8wt.%,includingofnear1.0%ofK2O)showedthatsystems,whichcomposedof mixture ofthese coals heating products and plasma gas (air or steam), have at the temperature range above 5000 K and pressure P = 0.1 MPa such high equilibrium level of potassium ion K+ concentrationas0.030.06mole/kgatelectronconcentrationof0.10.6mole/kg.Thesimilar situation is at the case of systems based on the plasma reactors for vitrification at 1600-1800 K fly ash (FA) wastes, such as produced after the boilers and fluidized bed gasifiers with wood residue or with MSW fuel, that use FA types with concentrations of SiO2 25 -30 wt. %and K2O 1217 %.During following analysisatoms andions concentrations and transport parameters (electric conductivityoandthermalconductivity)ofairplasmawithCu(productoftorchcold electrode erosion with intensity of 10-610-7 g/Ql,ionization potential of Cu+II = 7.73 eV)and withKimpurities(productofcoalashvaporization,ionizationpotentialofK+II=4.34eV) werecalculatedbasedonthechemicalmodelofweaklynon-idealplasmainLTE[7]andthe systemofionizationequilibriumSaha-Boltzmann(S-B)equations.Rangesofdefining parameters, i.e. plasma temperature and density were used as = 440 k and = 103107 g/sm3. For these conditions of quasi-equilibrium plasma its transport properties can be described with classical kinetic Boltzmann equation, which solution based on Chapman-Enskog method (C-E). k- approximation of C-E method give the follow expression for o 20 213 2, 18kkkQzn kQ Tto = > ,(1) here Qmk principal diagonal minors of the infinite matrix (with elements (qmk , m 1, k 1)), andinthecalculationoflowerapproximationsitisassumedthatQ21=Q32=1.Thematrix elements are linearcombinations of integrals of electron scattering by different particles: 21 0 1,2,.. 2,42s ls ls lskm mk i mk i mki s l s lq q n b zn b> = = >= = O+ O ,(2) ( ) ( ) .2, , , cos 1021} }+ = = OTvv d d eiil s lsi u o u (3) Herei reducedmassofinteractingparticles,doi differentialscatteringcrosssection. First summand of (3) describes scattering of electrons by heavy particlesand second one by electrons.Concentrationsofatoms,ionsandpopulationsofexcitedlevelswerecalculatedon the system of ionization equilibrium SB equations in a Debye ring approximation: ( ) ( )32 2 1 12 2 / exp -eli ie e i i eli in Un m kT h I In Ut |+ += A( - .(4) HereU elpartitionfunctionofthe electronicstatesandIidecreaseofthe ionizationpotential,calculatedtakinginto accounttheinteractionofchargedparticlesin theringapproximationofmacrocanonical ensemble.Fig.13areexamplesofthe calculatedconcentrationcurvesforplasmas, that contaminated with a copper and potassium, aswellastemperaturedependencesof compositionofairplasmawithpotassium. TheseKatomsasoneofthemainplasma ionizersatT10eV.Itis proposed that an engine worthy coaxial electrode configured spark plug be paired with nanosecond discharge plasma ignition in order to achieve ultra lean burn combustion. Lonnie Lenarduzzigraduated from thePittsburgh Instituteof Aeronautics in 1977with anAeronauticalEngineeringdegree,AirframeandPowerplantLicenseandaircraft PilotLicenseandwentontoworkfortheUSDepartmentofEnergywhileattending California State University, Long Beach. In 1989 he started his own business providing high voltage equipment to government and private laboratories worldwide.35 Efficient Conversion of CO2 to CO by Novel Plasma Method Dr. Louis A. Rosocha, Dr. Yong Ho Kim Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, USA Prof. Yuri D. Korolev Institute of High Current Electronics, Tomsk, Russia Thecontrolofcarbon-dioxide(CO2),animportantgreenhousegas,hasbecomeamajor environmental issue in the last two decades. CO2 has been shown by international experts to be a major contributor to global warming/global climate change. Researchers have become aware that CO2 is actually a valuable commodity, provided that uses can be found for it. Among these are beverage carbonation or the conversion of CO2 to carbon-monoxide (CO) which is a major componentofsynthesisfuelgas(CO+H2).Thefirstmajoruse,unfortunately,requiresthe source of CO2 to be near a bottling facility to avoid large transport costs. Plasmas have been investigated as a means to convert CO2 to CO via the reactions Plasma + CO2CO +O,H = 5.5 eV/molecule, O + OO2orO + O + CO2O2 + CO2. The overall thermodynamics of the conversion of CO2 into CO is represented by CO2CO + O2,H = 2.9 eV/molecule or 279 kJ/mole(taken as the 100% thermodynamic-limit conversion efficiency). Indartoetal.[1]haveshownafractionalconversionofCO2intoCOofabout18%anda conversionefficiency(relativetotheoverallthermodynamicefficiencyof279kJ/mole)of about17%inaglidingarcplasmaoperatedataplasmaspecificenergyofabout15.4kJ/L. TheseresultswereobtainedwithCO2/N2/O2mixturesandnotpureCO2.Nunnallyetal[2] haverecentlypublishedanefficiencyfigureintherangeof18-43%andaCO2fractional conversion of 2-9% in an atmospheric-pressure reverse vortex gliding arc plasma operated over arangeof0.43-3.44kJ/Lspecificenergy,withapureCO2feed.Wehaveconductedplasma-based experiments on the decomposition of pure CO2 in a novel, near-atmospheric-pressure (3/4 atm), novel plasmatron-like reactor and have obtainedaCO2-COconversion efficiencyofapproximately30%ata plasmaspecificenergyof0.8kJ/L andaconversionfractionof~2%. Unfortunately,becauseLosAlamos Laboratoryintellectualproperty concerns,wecannotgivefurther details ofthe plasma reactor. Ourinitialresultswereobtained usinganACHVpowersupply operatingatabout3.5kVreactor voltage (E/N ~ 18 Td) and about 1 kHz Plasma Reactor Power Supply CO/CO2 analyzer Pressure & gas-flow diagnostics Electrical, pressure & gas-flow diagnostics Fig. 1.Block diagram of experimental setup 36 frequency.InthisIWEPACpresentation,wewillshowresultscomparingtheAC-powered reactor to the case using a power supply developed by Korolev et al under a US Department of Energy-funded project on biofuel and municipal solid waste combustion. Figure 1 shows a block diagram of our experimental setup. References [1]A. Indarto, D.R. Yang, J.-W. Choi, H. Lee, and H.K. Song, Gliding arc plasma processing of CO2 conversion, J. Hazardous Materials, vol. 146, pp. 309-315, 2007. [2]T.Nunnally,K.Gutsol,ARabinovich,A.Fridman,A.Gutsol,andA.Kemoun, Dissociation of CO2 in a low current gliding arc plasmatron, J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys., vol. 44, 274009 (7 pp), 2011. Louis A. Rosochawas born in February 1950 in Harrison, AR (USA). He received theBS degreeinphysicsfromtheUniversityofArkansas(Fayetteville)in1972andtheMSand PhDdegreesinphysics(withaminorinchemistry)fromtheUniversityofWisconsin (Madison) in 1975 and 1979, respectively. From1978-1981,hewasattheNationalResearchGroupofMadison,WI,developingpulsedultravioletlasers,fastpulsed-powerswitchgear,andmodelingcommercialozone generators for water treatment. From October 1981 January 2008, he was a technical staff memberandmanagerattheLosAlamosNationalLaboratory(LANL).Afteranearly retirementfromLANLin2008,Dr.Rosochabecameanindependentconsultant,focusing hisR&DinterestsonCO2sequestration/globalwarming,nationalenergysecurity,and water/air pollution abatement. Dr.RosochaiscurrentlyamemberoftheAmericanPhysicalSociety,theIEEE,andPhiBetaKappa.Hewas formerly amember of the International OzoneAssociation. Dr. Rosocha received two Distinguished Performance Awards during his tenure at LANL, is the author of over one hundred publications in books, refereed journals and conference proceedings, and has five patents to his credit. YonghoKim(M03)receivedtheB.S.,M.S.,andPh.D.degreesinnuclearengineering from Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, in 1994, 1996, and 2002, respectively. Since 2003,hehasbeenwiththePlasmaPhysicsGroup,LosAlamosNationalLaboratory,Los Alamos,NM.Hiscurrentresearchinterestsincludeplasmaetchingwithatmospheric-pressureRF plasma jet, DBD plasma-assisted combustion, and microwave plasma-assisted fuel reformation. YuryD.KorolevwasbornintheUSSRonFebruary18,1945.HereceivedtheM.S.and Ph.D.degreesfromTomskStateUniversity,Tomsk,Russia,in1967and1973, respectively, and the D.Sc. degree in physics from the Institute of High Current Electronics, Russian Academy of Science, Tomsk, in 1985. Since1977,hehasbeenwiththeInstituteofHighCurrentElectronics,whereheis currentlytheHeadoftheLow-TemperaturePlasmaLaboratory.Heisalsocurrentlya Professor with Tomsk State University and with Tomsk Polytechnic University. His current research interests include fundamentals of a gas discharge and applications of high- and low-pressure discharges. 37 Methane Oxidation in a Plasma Torch ofNonsteady State PlasmatronProf. Yuri Korelev, O.B. Frants, S.I. Galanov, O.I. Sidorova, V.S. Kasyanov Institute of High Current Electronics, Tomsk, Russia Yongho Kim, Louis A. Rosocha Los Alamos National laboratory, DOE, Los Alamos, USA Dr. Igor Matveev, Applied Plasma Technologies, LLC; McLean, USA Paper[1]describestheplasma-assistedcombustionsystemintendedtogenerateatorch flamewithahighpowerdensityperunitarea.Inthesystem,akindofhybridconceptis proposed. A primary unit for combustion sustaining is a low-current nonsteady-state plasmatron with a low level of electric power [2, 3]. The plasmatron activates anair/hydrocarbon mixture andsustainstheoxidationprocessesintheplasmatorch[1,4].Inturn,theheatpowerofthe torch sustains the main burning process in the torch flame. This paper is mainly concentrated on investigationoftheprimaryunitofthecombustionsystem,i.e.ontheregimesofplasmatron operation and on methane oxidation in the plasma torch of plasmatron. Schematic of experimental arrangement is presented in Fig. 1. Fig. 1. Plasmatron with the heat-insulated combustion chamber and method formeasurement the flue gas composition. 1 inner electrode of plasmatron; 2 grounded outer electrode of the plasmatron; 5 flange of the main combustion chamber; 6 heat-insulated plasmatron combustion chamber; 7 thermal insulation of the plasmatron combustion chamberThe plasmatron unit is inserted in the combustion chamber 6 with a thermal insulation 7. To enhance reliability and reproducibility of the measurements, we have modernized the plasmatron 38 design. The inner surface of plasmatron nozzle has the ring-shaped groove. With such a design, the discharge burns mainly in the glow mode with the diffuse channels but without distinctively expressedsparkchannels.Theglowplasmacolumnisattachedtothepositionstotherightof thegrooveasFig.1shows.Asawhole,theplasmatronandchamberdesignprovidesastable burningoftheair-fuelmixtures.Thefluegasforchemicalanalysisisextractedbytwoprobe tubes. Probe 1 is located at a distance x = 2.5 cm from plasmatron exit and probe 2 is located at a distance x = 30 cm. Themaincomponentinthefuelismethane,andtheexcessaircoefficientforair-fuelis determined by the relation: ) fuel () air (0643 . 0GG= o (1) where G is the gas expenditure in g/s. Typicalexperimentalconditionscanbeunderstoodfromthetablebelow.Inthistable,the following notation is used: G(air) is the air expenditure; G(fuel) is the fuel expenditure; 0 is the gas flow velocity in x direction at the plasmatron exit; t30 is the time interval during which the gas travels a distance x= 30 cm; QB is the heat power which would be generated in the plasma torch in the case of complete methane oxidation., G(air), g/s G(fuel), g/s v0, m/s t30, ms QB, kW0.352.2510-214> 201.26 0.452.9010-218> 161.62 0.553.5310-222> 131.98 Fig. 2 shows the contents of CH4 and O2 in flue gas versus the excess air coefficient o. Fig. 2. Contents of CH4 and O2 in flue gas versus a for different distances xfrom the plasmatron nozzle G(air) = 0.35 g/s; i = 0.2 A. Average power dissipated in discharge Qd = (150 160) W. Curve CH4 is the content of methane in an absence of discharge in plasmatron 39 It is seen that when the discharge is available in plasmatron, some decomposition of the fuel occursevenforratherhighovalues.However,thereissomecriticalvalueofexcessair coefficient(ocr~3.2).Thisvaluecanbetreatedasalowerflammablelimit.Whenarelative content of air in the air-fuel mixture exceeds ocr ~ 3.2, the self-oxidation process in chamber 6 isnotable tobesustained.Avolumecontentof CH4andO2in thefluegasremainsthesame bothforadistancex=2.5cmandforadistancex=30cm.Foro